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Hearing May 15 on proposed release of sexually violent predator Gary Snavely in Borrego Springs: public comments sought
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 11, 2026 (Borrego Springs) – The San Diego Superior Court has ordered the conditional release
Supporters flee Swalwell’s governor campaign amid allegations of sexual assault
Printer-friendly versionBy Jeanne Kuang and Yue Stella Yu, CalMatters This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Photo: U.S. Rep. Eric
News Issues
Hearing May 15 on proposed release of sexually violent predator Gary Snavely in Borrego Springs: public comments sought
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 11, 2026 (Borrego Springs) – The San Diego Superior Court has ordered the conditional release
Attacked by AI-cyberbots: Please help us fund critical security upgrades
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery April 10, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – Our East County Magazine website is being attacked
Politics
Supporters flee Swalwell’s governor campaign amid allegations of sexual assault
Printer-friendly versionBy Jeanne Kuang and Yue Stella Yu, CalMatters This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Photo: U.S. Rep. Eric
Latest No Kings rallies draw 70,000 in San Diego County, 8 million nationwide
70,000 San Diego County residents join 8 million nationwide in No Kings demonstrations, the largest ever U.S. protest By Miriam Raftery March 31, 2026 (San…
Wildfires and Emergencies
Cal State University San Marcos and nearby homes evacuated due to brush fire
East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts April 5, 2026 (San Marcos) – The #MoreeFire in San Marcos has led to evacuations, including the California State…
Help shape fire priorities in San Diego County
East County News Service April 4, 2026 (San Diego County) — With “fire season” now a year-round threat, public input is growing in importance as…
Events & Arts
Cheers to the Valley Wine Festival April 18 in Ramona
East County News Service April 5, 2026 (Ramona) – The Ramona Chamber of Commerce is inviting the public to savor the 2026 Cheers to the…
Destination East County: Festive events in mid-April and May 2026
By Miriam Raftery April 5, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – As April continues, drifting into the merry month of May, there are many unique…
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DESTINATIONS: Borrego and beyond — a beautiful backcountry day
Printer-friendly versionBy Karen Pearlman, with photos by Karen Pearlman and Miriam Raftery Feb. 22, 2026 (San Diego County) — With
We need your help! We have more news tips for East County issues than our budget can cover
Printer-friendly versionLast year tapped our resources at East County Magazine more than any on record, with so many major news
People
Donate to help pets in need at Alpine Pet Food and Supply Drive April 4
East County News Service March 14, 2026 (Alpine) – Dog and cat food, treats, grooming supplies, new pet toys, feeding
Descanso resident named American Honey Queen
By Miriam Raftery February 18, 2026 (Descanso) — You could call it sweet success. The American Beekeeping Federation has chosen
Communities
Hearing May 15 on proposed release of sexually violent predator Gary Snavely in Borrego Springs: public comments sought
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service April 11, 2026 (Borrego Springs) – The San Diego Superior Court has ordered the conditional release
San Diego County has free parking perks for seniors
Printer-friendly versionSan Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson holds up his senior parking pass at Mt. Woodson Gateway County Preserve in
Features
San Diego County has free parking perks for seniors
Printer-friendly versionSan Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson holds up his senior parking pass at Mt. Woodson Gateway County Preserve in
Don’t miss Santa Ysabel and Wynola on your way to visit Julian
Printer-friendly versionTiny mountain towns often overlooked by travelers in East County’s back country By Paul Levikow Photos by Miriam Raftery
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Candlelight vigil, funeral procession held for fallen LMPD Officer Lauren Craven
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Oct. 29, 2025 (La Mesa) — This past week has marked one of the most challenging stretches of time for the La Mesa Police Department as it mourns the loss of fallen La Mesa Police Officer Lauren Craven. Candlelight vigil photos by Karen Pearlman Craven, 25, died the night of Monday, Oct. 20 in San
A lethal pattern of neglect in San Diego county jails
Printer-friendly version By Alexander J. Schorr October 28, 2025— A San Diego County Sheriff deleted 57 hours of video footage that may have shed light on a 22-year-old man’s death in a San Diego County jail. US District Judge Dana Sabraw and Magistrate Judge Allison Goddard have sanctioned San Diego County for erasing this footage, which could have shown whether deputies
El Cajon City Council denies request to increase size of retail tobacco displays
Printer-friendly version By Paul Levikow Photo, left: Vince Kattoula displays hookahs, advocating for more space to display them in retail stores October 28, 2025 (El Cajon) – The El Cajon City Council voted Tuesday to deny a proposal that would have increased the allowable display space for tobacco products such as hookahs in retail stores that are not designated smoke
Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District fall surplus property auction now live
Printer-friendly versionSource: Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District October 29, 2025 (El Cajon) – The Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District has officially launched its fall surplus property auction, now live. The auction is open to the public, and both businesses and individuals are encouraged to bid on the inventory. The District conducts regular surplus sales as part of its sustainability efforts in an effort to reduce
ECM wins 6 awards in San Diego Press Club’s Excellence in Journalism competition
Printer-friendly version East County News Service “The massive reporting effort on this piece is evident…The two reporters on this story are truly an asset to their community.” – Judge’s comments on ECM’s first-place Education article October 28, 2025 (San Diego) – East County Magazine received six journalism awards, including three first place winners, in San Diego Press Club’s 2025 Excellence
Goodwill stores host Little Black Dress Event
Printer-friendly versionLittle Black Dress (LBD) Event featuring a custom gown by top designer Evan Hirsch East County News Service October 28, 2025 (San Diego) – Goodwill San Diego is proud to host its annual Little Black Dress Event, just in time for the holiday season. All Goodwill retail stores will showcase a wide selection of LBDs, shoes, and accessories at
Lemon Grove City Council vacancy application process reopened: New filing deadline Nov. 13
Printer-friendly versionBy Paul Levikow October 28, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – The Lemon Grove City Council reopened the process for filling a vacancy, after efforts to appoint a candidate failed the first time. The vacancy will fill the seat held by Councilmember Steve Faiai, who passed away in July. The difference in the next selection process will rely on ranked choice
CHP launches Halloween maximum enforcement to target impaired drivers
Printer-friendly versionAll available officers deployed statewide to keep roads safe during 12-hour operation Source: CHP October 26, 2025 (Sacramento) – The California Highway Patrol (CHP) will launch a 12-hour Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP) from 6 p.m. Friday, October 31, through 6 a.m. Saturday, November 1, to protect motorists and prevent impaired driving. During the operation, all available CHP
Federal government seeks to repeal protections for bighorn sheep on public land
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Photo by Susan Massey: Bighorn rams on Bureau of Land Management property in Ocotillo, adjacent to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Oct. 28, 2025 (East County) – The Trump administration is proposing to repeal the Bureau of Land Management’s Public Lands Rule in order to fast-track oil and gas exploration. The rule protects
County opens cool zones due to extreme heat advisory
Printer-friendly version October 28, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat advisory for San Diego County’s valleys and inland areas. Temperatures up to 94 degrees are forecast today and up to 96 degrees tomorrow. Hot temperatures may cause heat illnesses. Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of
SAN DIEGO RIVER CLEANUP IN SANTEE ON SATURDAY
Printer-friendly version Photo at Forester Creek in Santee by Karen Pearlman East County News Services June 27, 2025 (Santee) — If you care about the environment and don’t mind getting a little dirty, then a clean up at Forester Creek may be the perfect fit for you! The San Diego River Park Foundation is having a cleanup event from 8
SUPREME COURT ALLOWS TRUMP TO DEPORT MIGRANTS TO COUNTRIES THAT AREN’T THEIR HOMES, WITHOUT DUE PROCESS
Printer-friendly version Court majority’s action exposes “thousands to the risk of torture or death,” says Justice Sonia Sotomayor By G. A. McNeeley June 25, 2025 (Washington D.C.) — The Supreme Court has allowed The Trump Administration to restart the swift deportations of migrants to countries that aren’t their homelands. The conservative majority also lifted a court order that required migrants
CITY OF SAN DIEGO BUDGET CUTS WON’T CUT INTO LOCAL LAKES
Printer-friendly version Fishing expeditions like this man’s at San Vicente Reservoir will continue uninterrupted after fears of budget cuts within the city of San Diego that would have cut hours and days at a group of lakes and reservoirs were quelled. Photo by Karen Pearlman By Karen Pearlman June 25, 2025 (San Diego) –Anglers and outdoor enthusiasts are celebrating after
ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS
Printer-friendly versionJune 25, 2025 — As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include: U.S. DOGE Is Busier Than Ever—and Trump Says Elon Musk Is ‘Really Not Leaving’ (Wired) 128 million Americans under heat advisories
EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: LOCAL AND STATEWIDE NEWS
Printer-friendly versionJune 25, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s round-up stories include: LOCAL New app helps connect unhoused people to shelters in San Diego County (Fox 5) San Diego’s inflation rate highest in the nation for May The
HEALTH AND SCIENCE HIGHLIGHTS
Printer-friendly versionJune 25, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future. HEALTH Concerned about US vaccine misinformation and access, public health experts start Vaccine Integrity Project (CNN) The plan to vaccinate all Americans, despite RFK Jr. (Washington Post) FDA OKs New Shot to Protect Babies
COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY VOTES JUNE 26 WHETHER TO WITHDRAW FROM WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN: PETITION LAUNCHED TO SAVE GARDEN’S FUNDING
Printer-friendly version By Kristin Kjaero June 21, 2025 (San Diego) – – On June 26, San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) will vote on a staff recommendation to end its sponsorship and funding for the Water Conservation Garden. The Garden says accessibility to the public is at risk if SDCWA withdraws, and started an online petition campaign to request that
SUPS. ANDERSON, MONTGOMERY STEPPE CHAMPION FOOD JUSTICE
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service SAN DIEGO, CA (June 24, 2025) — In a continued show of leadership on food equity and community health, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors this week approved a joint proposal from Supervisors Joel Anderson and Monica Montgomery Steppe to allocate $750,000 in funding to support critical food access programs across the region.
FENTANYL DEATHS DROP 30% COUNTYWIDE, AS DRUG SEIZURES INCREASE
Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Image: Fentanyl pills seized by U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency June 24, 2025 (San Diego) – Deaths from fentanyl dropped 30% countywide in 2024 over the prior year. That coincides with a major increase in drug seizures, including 1.9 million fentanyl pills worth more than $20 million over the past 18 months, Sheriff Kelly Martinez announced
EL CAJON PAINT CO. MANAGER PLEADS GUILTY TO MISDEMEANOR HIRING OF UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS
Printer-friendly versionScreenshot of video from NBC 7, an ECM news partner By Miriam Raftery June 23, 2025 (El Cajon) – Following a workplace raid at San Diego Powder & Protective Coatings in El Cajon in March by federal immigration officers, the company’s former general manager, John Washburn, has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor county of hiring undocumented workers.
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